JOHANNESBURG – Former Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss will lead the World XV against Japan at Osaka’s Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Friday.
Apart from Strauss, there are a host of other South Africans in the squad, most of whom are playing in Japan's Top League.
The SA players who will run out for the World XV are:
Willie Britz, Harold Vorster, Hencus van Wyk, Lionel Cronje, Jason Jenkins plus the powerhouse Golden Lions hooker Corne Fourie.
Former Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss will lead the World XV against Japan. Photo: @JRFU on Twitter
The international side will be coached by former Australian mentor Robbie Deans who will be assisted by current Crusaders Rugby head coach Scott Robertson.
Adrian Strauss played under Robbie Deans as part of the World XV that beat Japan 47-27 in the Japanese city of Fukuoka last year.
The rest of the World XV players are drawn from, among others New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, Japan and Tonga.